Utopian worlds. Now.
For millions of people, the world is completely safe (or at least a safe place). Sure, there are threats, but only distant
threats or possibilities of distant threats. These people need not be rich. Many are poor. Most have a modest income, with housing, with
security, few with challenges either to survive, to succeed, other than to enjoy
daily safe living. The recourse to
safety and security is significant. It
is foundational as many have noted. With
it, they may operate with impunity, and without it there come suspicion.
It may be callous to mention that this is precisely the hope
promised by most retirement communities.
For the retired, this is a well-deserved world paid for with a lifetime
of experience, toil, and savings. It is the dream come true – pardon the age. It is as near as some get to utopia. Gone are those cares of their past, of jobs,
of homes, including that of survival. Community builders advertise exactly this
world, even with the possibilities of new friends and activities built in. This is also the world for millions of impoverished
and younger people securely on welfare, but also with no challenges or
problems, given the simple acceptance of a materially reduced life.
Thus we see utopian worlds of many types, from rich to poor,
for any type of religion for most types of politics. Mostly, the days are routine, unchanging, and
unchallenged. There are few hopes or
expectations. Ambition has
atrophied. Acceptance of the security is
sufficient.
One could view this as an ideal after millennia of painful
evolution, the carefree life.
Such worlds must be inherently unstable, as these people
become defenseless, witless,low both in expect and abilities. Their goods are ripe for seizure. Often the
goods are material. Often there is no
resistance. No one fights a war for more
leisure, or more education, or more of anything that requires greater personal
efforts upon receipt. These are modern day
utopians.
The real world exists in a mixed chaos of the utopians and
those without. Any class deemed to have
it too good, becomes a target, an easy target.
Whether through ballots or bullets, outsiders want to take the utopia
away, and award it to themselves. This
creates a flux that cycles over centuries.
Modern instrumentation, particularly assisted with
computers, has accelerated this process.
Only 75 years ago, new devises were sold advertising convenience and
time savings. Utopia is just a few
gadgets away became the implication.
Except for the occasional Luddite, the world embraced the “convenient”
life affording more time, but to do what?
Not to study and learn, not to build, but more toward the various forms
of leisure, from first class travel to endless hours before the television.
Rich man, poor man alike.
Now we have computer systems that sell us protection from
other computer systems. We have data
systems that release personal information to the world. We live in an open world where there can be
few records beyond discovery. Our world
is less safe on this account[1].
But, we are better assured of flight reservations and departure times[2].
We could argue that because of computers
certain facets of our security is declining.
This develops something of a paradox of modern living.
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